Two projects involving flood control and stormwater detention in South Jeffco will get underway a year ahead of schedule with funds from a postponed project.

The county’s Development and Transportation Department will shift funds to make improvements at Beer Sisters Lake Reservoir north of Bowles Avenue and east of Simms Street, and in the Massey Draw on the Deer Creek Golf Course. The funding came from a project at Mount Olivet Reservoir that’s been delayed by an easement issue.

Jeffco Schools Superintendent Dan McMinimee said he’s concerned after a high number of teacher absences closed two more district high schools Monday, and he raised the possibility of docking the instructors a day's pay.

“I’m really disappointed,” McMinimee said Monday afternoon. “If I was a parent, I’d be really upset if a day was taken way from my student.”

For the fourth school day in a row, protests in Jefferson County continued Wednesday as students from Chatfield, Dakota Ridge, Alameda and Bear Creek high schools walked out of class to protest the school board’s proposed curriculum committee to evaluate Advanced Placement U.S. History.

The Littleton City Council has pledged to consult all involved taxing entities on the use of tax-increment financing for urban renewal.

The resolution, approved on a 7-0 vote Sept. 16, means all affected taxing entities, including Littleton Public Schools, South Suburban Park and Recreation and Arapahoe County, will be included in conversations about redevelopment using tax-increment financing.

Teachers at Conifer and Standley Lake high schools who participated in a “sick-out” last Friday that closed both schools said they did it to raise community awareness primarily about the school board’s proposal to review the Advanced Placement History curriculum.

Secondarily, the teachers have been protesting a compensation plan being implemented by the board that gives raises based on merit.